ACC: References Not Imported with Objects from Another Database

• Microsoft Access versions 7.0, 97

SYMPTOMS

Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.

When you import a Microsoft Access object from one database into another database, any reference used by the object is not imported, and you must re- create the reference in the target database. For example, if you insert an ActiveX control on a form, Microsoft Access automatically creates a reference to the .OCX file for that control. If you then open another database and import the form that contains the ActiveX control from the first database, the reference to the .OCX file is not imported with the form. This behavior also occurs when you export an object.

CAUSE

A reference is not imported or exported with an object because it is not specific to the object; instead, a reference is specific to the project of a database.

RESOLUTION

To re-create the reference, you can use one of the following two methods. You can re-create the reference by adding the library file or .OCX file to the Available References list. Or, you can re-create a reference to an .OCX file by inserting the corresponding ActiveX control on a form.

Method 1

To add the library file or .OCX file to the list of available references in the target database, follow these steps:

1. In the target database, open a new module.

2. On the Tools menu, click References.

3. In the References dialog box, scroll down the Available References and select the check box for the library file or .OCX file to which you need to re-create the reference. If the file doesn't appear on the list, click Browse, locate the file in the Add Reference dialog box, and then click OK.

Method 2

When you insert an ActiveX control on a form, Microsoft Access automatically creates a reference to the .OCX file that corresponds to the control, even if you don't save the form. This method is useful if you do not know the name of the .OCX file of the ActiveX control. To re-create a reference to the .OCX file of an ActiveX control, follow these steps:

1. In the Database window, click the Forms tab, and then click New.

2. In the New Form dialog box, click Design View, and then click OK to create a new form.

3. On the Insert menu, click ActiveX controls (or Custom Controls if you are using Microsoft Access version 7.0).

4. In the Insert ActiveX control dialog box (or the Insert Custom Controls dialog box if you are using Microsoft Access 7.0), select the ActiveX control to which you want to create a reference. Then click OK.

5. On the File menu, click Close. When prompted to save the form, click No.

MORE INFORMATION

By default, a new Microsoft Access 97 database contains references to the following libraries:

   Visual Basic for Applications

   Microsoft Access 8.0 Object Library

   Microsoft DAO 3.5 Object Library

   Visual Basic for Applications

   Microsoft Access for Windows 95

   Microsoft Jet SQL Help Topics

   Microsoft DAO 3.0 Object Library

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. Start Microsoft Access and open the sample database Northwind.mdb.

2. In the Database window, click the Forms tab, and then click New.

3. In the New Form dialog box, click Design view, and then click OK to create a new form not based on any table or query.

4. On the Insert menu, click ActiveX controls (or Custom Controls if you are using Microsoft Access version 7.0).

5. If you are using Microsoft Access 97, click Calendar Control 8.0 on the list in the Insert ActiveX Control dialog box, and then click OK. If you are using Microsoft Access version 7.0, click Calendar Control on the list in the Insert Custom Controls dialog box, and then click OK.

6. On the File menu, click Save. In the Save As dialog box, type "frmRefTest" (without the quotation marks) in the Form Name box. Click OK.

7. On the File menu, click Close to close the form.

8. In the Database window, click the Modules tab. Click New.

9. On the Tools menu, click References. In the References dialog box, note that the check box of the Calendar Control is selected. Click Cancel.

10. On the File menu, click Close. Click No if you are prompted to save the module.

11. On the File menu, click Close to close the database Northwind.mdb.

12. On the File menu, click New Database.

13. In the New dialog box, click the Blank Database icon on the General tab. Click OK.

14. In the File New Database dialog box, accept the default database name that appears in the File Name box, and then click Create.

15. On the File menu, point to Get External Data, and then click Import.

16. In the Import dialog box, locate the sample database Northwind.mdb and double-click it.

17. In the Import Objects dialog box, click the Forms tab, select frmRefTest in the list of forms, and then click OK.

18. In the Database window, click the Modules tab, and then click New to create a new module.

19. On the Tools menu click References. Note that there is no reference to the Calendar Control. Even if Calendar Control appears in the list, its check box is not selected.